Flemish Government - Master Mind Scholarships 2026-2027

The Flemish Ministry of Education and Training awards scholarships for master's programmes in Flanders and Brussels to outstanding students from around the world. If you are interested, you first need to apply to one of the Flemish host institutions that participates in the Master Mind Scholarship Programme.

Eligibility

• The applicant applies to take up a master's degree programme at a Flemish higher education institution.
• The applicant should have a high standard of academic performance and/or potential:
  • The student has a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0: https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/ (see annex 1 How to calculate your American GPA)

• The student has a good knowledge of the English language:
  • An overall minimum band score of 7.0 on the IELTS test
  • A minimum total score of 94 on a TOEFL test
  • A C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference
  • Or a similar result in another official language test (recognized by the host institution)
  • Online language tests of IELTS and TOEFL will also be accepted:
    • IELTS Indicator (https://www.ieltsindicator.com/)
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/)

• Students who apply for a master's programme at a school of arts have at least:
  • An overall band score of minimum 6.5 on the IELTS test
  • A minimum total score of 90 on the TOEFL test
  • A B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference
  • Or a similar result in another official English language test (recognized by the host institution)
  • Online language tests of IELTS and TOEFL will also be accepted:
    • IELTS Indicator (https://www.ieltsindicator.com/)
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/)
• The host institution also performs an academic check of the student’s file. The student has to be accepted by the host institution to be able to receive the scholarship. Even if the host institution’s decision to accept the student is taken after the selection of the Master Mind Scholarships programme, this criterion applies.
• All nationalities can apply. The previous degree obtained should be from a higher education institution located outside Flanders. International students who have been on credit mobility in a hosting Flemish higher education institution are still eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship.
• Students who are already enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution cannot apply. The only exception is made for international students who, at the moment of their application in Spring 2025, are already enrolled in a specific preparatory programme in order to start a master's programme in September 2025.
• Students who enrol for the following programmes for the academic year 2025-2026 are not eligible for the Master Mind Scholarship:
  • Preparatory programmes
  • Bridging programmes
  • Distance learning
• Student mobility to partner institutions outside Flanders and Brussels during the master's programme is allowed. However, at least half of the study credits of the master's programme must be obtained at the Flemish host institution.

The scholarship amounts to € 10.225 for the academic year 2026-2027 and € 10.225 for the academic year 2027-2028 in case an application was submitted for a two-year Master programme.

An installment of € 4.600 is transferred on a Belgian or European account after arriving in Belgium and uploading the registration certificate which the student will receive from the Flemish higher education institution when they arrive. Or if preferred, a first installment of € 2.000 can be transferred to the student’s bank account (European or foreign bank account) prior to the start of the academic year. Additionally, the remaining installment of € 2.600 will be transferred to a Belgian or European account after arriving in Belgium and uploading the registration certificate.

A second installment of € 4.100 is transferred in February 2027 upon completion of the first semester.

A final installment of € 1.525 is transferred upon completion of the first academic year in July 2027, or in September/October 2027 in case of re-sit examinations. If a student completes a one-year Master programme, but does not obtain the Master degree at the end of the academic year in July 2027, or in September 2027 in case of re-sit examinations, the final installment of € 1.525 will not be awarded.

In case of a two-year Master Programme, and on the condition that at least 54 ECTS were obtained in the first academic year, € 6.125 is transferred to the student’s bank account prior to the start of the second academic year 2027-2028 (or in September/October 2027 in case of re-sit examinations).

A second installment of € 4.100 is transferred in February 2028 upon completion of the first semester of the second academic year.

A final installment of € 1.525 is transferred upon completion of the second academic year (in July 2028, or in September/October 2028 in case of re-sit examinations). If a student does not obtain the Master degree at the end of the second year, the final installment of € 1.525 will not be awarded.

If a student enrolled in a two-year Master programme does not obtain 54 ECTS at the end of the academic year in July 2027, or in September 2027 in case of re-sit examinations, the student will not be awarded the third installment of € 1.525 and will not receive the grant for the second year of the Master programme. Exceptions to this rule can only be granted by VLUHR in agreement with the hosting institution and the Department of Education and Training.

In case of discontinuation prior to the end of the Master programme for which a Master Mind scholarship has been awarded by the Flemish Government: if a student only completes a part of a one or two-year Master programme, he or she will need to refund part of the scholarship, e.g. when a student only completes one semester, they can only keep the first instalment of € 4.600.